Macé J, et al. - Researchers performed a prospective before-after study at Emergency Departments (EDs) in two centers including 102 patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure to assess the relative clinical impact after early initiation of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNC) vs standard oxygen in these patients. A respiratory rate above 25 breaths/min or signs of increased breathing effort under additional oxygen for pulse oximetry above 92% defined the hypoxemic respiratory failure. Patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure treated with HFNC at the ED exhibited better oxygenation, less breathlessness and showed a higher tendency for improved respiratory failure 1 h after initiation when compared to those treated with standard oxygen.